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Dr. Brown puts forth a call for all of us to examine our hearts and lives, and asks the tough question, “What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?”
Hour 1:
Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: Quoting again from a theological dictionary, “Following Jesus as a disciple is an unconditional sacrifice of his whole life, for the whole of his life. To be a disciple means, as Matthew in particular emphasizes, to be bound to Jesus and to do God’s will.” That’s the question we need to ask ourselves: Have we unconditionally given our lives to Jesus? Do we recognize that He is now our Lord, and that we live to do His will? Do we understand that following Him means to be bound to Him, and thereby do the will of the Father? Can we, as imitators of Jesus, say what Jesus said: “I have come to do Your will, O God”? That, my friends, is what it means to be a disciple.
Hour 2:
Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: Do you want to have purpose and meaning in your life? Do you want to live a life that counts? To have a sense of belonging? The answer is very simple: give yourself to being a disciple and to making disciples. There’s no higher calling, there’s no more glorious service, and nothing that’s more rewarding; your fruit will last forever, your reward will be great, and you will bring a smile to the face of the Father.
Featured Resources:
How Saved Are We? by Dr. Brown: This unsettling book challenges us to ask ourselves what kind of born-again experience we have had if it calls for almost no personal sacrifice, produces virtually no separation from the world, and breeds practically no hatred of sin.
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Whatever Happened to the Power of God/It’s Time to Rock the Boat, by Dr. Brown TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A SINGLE VOLUME, two of Dr. Michael L. Brown’s groundbreaking works are ready to challenge a new generation of believers to combat the status quo of a compromised church and a godless society.
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Other Resources:
Revolution: The Call to Holy War by Dr. Brown: This book is not a call for the violent overthrow of the government, nor is it a call to take up arms, nor is it a call to political activism in and of itself. It is a call to something far more extreme, a call to live out the gospel…
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How to be Led by the Spirit [mp3 CD]: Clear and practical teaching on how you can learn to recognize and respond to the Spirit’s leading. Includes two special messages entitled “The Purpose of the Gifts of the Spirit” and “Fanning into Flame the Gift of God.”
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Giants of the Faith [mp3 CD]: Experience the ministry and message of men and women of God who shook their world! Charles Finney, George Whitfield, John (Praying) Hyde, Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Maria Woodworth-Etter, John Alexander Dowie, and Adoniram Judson.
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Jesus, Giver of THE GOD-LIFE: Online Article by David Popovici
Paul, when praying for the Ephesian believers, prays that God would give to them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation and open the eyes of their heart, in order to know Him better and consequently, to know what they have been called to be (Ephesians 1.18); a revelation of God and in turn a revelation of what God has made us. “Jesus doesn’t call us for what we are. But because of what He makes from us (Reinhard Bonnke).”
God will not just hold us accountable for what we were, but for what we could have been in light of the Cross and Pentecost.
We Can’t Stop Speaking… (the issue of silent Christianity): Online Article by Eric Gilmour
The reason that there is a divide between the apostles, who couldn’t stop speaking, and the modern American church, who can’t start speaking, is because the issue of speaking lies in the issue of seeing and hearing. Jesus said, “What you have heard in the dark speak in the light.”
Many modern American Christians haven’t been hearing the voice of God and very rarely see anything in God. Their spiritual eyes are darkened and because of this, they having nothing living inside of them to speak out. Not only that, but because they don’t speak out they don’t see anything happen that would build their faith. As Bill Johnson noted, “The first step to growing in miracles is to pray for the sick.”
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Question on nutrition:
1. Do you think it is important what we eat?
How much effect do you think what we eat has on our walk with the Lord?
2. Doesn’t food — since it is drugs/chemicals (drugs=chemicals) — EFFECT the way we view/perceive reality, the same way other hallucinogens, etc., effect the way we perceive reality (albeit, on a different scale)?
3. If eating any food at all is acceptable, living under its influence, isn’t also living under the influence of any other substance allowable (which we already know it is NOT — doesn’t this also mean that certain intoxicating foods are not acceptable)??
4. If homosexuality is a perversion, is not eating certain foods also a perversion? If we uphold one part of the Law as a standard, is it not confusing to not uphold the rest of it?
5. When certain natural super-foods are eaten (pine tree pollen, for example), varying wonderful benefits can occur; but, is it bad for me to trust in some other “source” than God/Spirit? Is that developing a weakness in me?
Hi Daniel, How are you doing. You make some good topic starters for commenting on. I have enjoyed reading everyone’s’ comments for quite some time and I feel that I could guess fairly accurate what the most faithful followers of this web site would say. It seems to me that Dr Brown and I are probably twins in our perspectives of most or even all issues. Thus making my comments unnecessary. Lol. I would like to get more involved though.
@ question #1
We have to try our best to take care of ourselves. To eat to live long and healthy to maximize every potential day, second we could live to be a light and faithfully at Jesus’ service. I think this should be our heart’s desire.
@ question #2
I think that’s a fair statement. Everything we put in our body and everything we do to our body has some sort of good or bad reaction.
@ question #1
1. Fasting and praying. Not eating and praying has effected my relationship with God, the most intimate times of my life, a heightened sense of the glory and closeness of God.
2. Hypothetically, if one’s conscience was weak and believed it was a sin to eat peanut butter and jelly (random food item), then if they did eat it, tempted and gave in, then they feel they have sinned against God. Lol. If some one really believes it is a sin to eat peanut butter and jelly, and this one does it anyway, this one is sinning against God. This will effect that person’s relationship with God
@ question #3
Lol. All things are allowable (permissible) but not all things are good for us (beneficial).
All food (what humans have accustomed themselves to eating on earth) is allowable but not always self edifying (beneficial).
All substances (except for poison, no self inducing suicide) are allowable but most likely non self edifying (beneficial). Eating a pencil for example or a shoe is not beneficial.
I mean, what if it comes down to:
“pine pollen + green smoothie”
vs.
“chicken alfredo”
the first is “optimum”; but not always available.
the second isn’t “optimum”, but rather destructive; therefore, why not fast until I one I can get the former? Things like that…
Then again, days will come when “super-foods” will not be available — and if i based some of my “superior” experience/perception of reality upon the consumption of these foods, won’t my experience/perception of reality suffer thereby, thus, “creating a weakness in myself” ?
The problem with the Gospel being shared in the U.S. is that we invite people to be saved from hell but not from self. Total depravity of the carnal man is no longer preached… the doing of the enemy, who loves to have people dreaming of peace and happiness while they are asleep in the jaws of Death! The Bible always titles Jesus as “Lord and Savior” — always with Lord first and Savior second! People come to Christ now as a simple logical assent, for their “insurance policy” (to be delivered from the wrath to come), while they retain their self-will and self-pleasing. This is not of God. At the very heart of the sin nature is the determination to have one’s OWN way… only Jesus can subdue this spirit of self-will and implant a genuine, powerful, and lasting desire and determination to please HIM… if there is a reserve in our obedience, we are NOT saved, but on our way to hell. Our submission to His rule is an essential element of discipleship. “Coming to Christ” means that we have left everything, and entertain no other competitors for our affections. So many have been argued into believing they are saved, when in reality, their ‘faith’ sprang from nothing better than a superficial process of logic… yet nothing but a miracle of grace can lead to the saving of any sinner.
@ question #4
1.There are many rules in the Torah. Each sin or non sin uncleanness has a Torah required solution or consequence.
The Torah (or Law) was the Law for the whole Jewish nation. There are also laws for Gentiles that want to live among the nation of Israel, also laws for gentile slaves of Jews, and different laws for men and women, priest and Levites.
2,400 years ago. This Law was the Jewish national law of the country. This Law never judged Gentiles that lived outside of Israel. If you were a gentile man having sex with a gentile man outside of Israel, the Law gives no order to run outside of Israel to go kill the gay gentile men. If you were a Gentile in Israel, then, you were most likely a caanite slave. This means that you had to be circumcised but you were not Jewish. You would were responsible to do all the negative commandments (all the do not commandments). They were only punished if they disobeyed this, if they wanted to keep Shabat, ok, no problem, if not no problem.
If a caanite slave committed homosexuality then he must have two witnesses and then this gentile must be killed once proven guilty by the Sanhedrin.
If you were a gentile (not a caanite slave) then you were only punished for braking the Noachide Laws given to Noah. If you were a gentile and you wanted to sin, then leave Israel, as the punishment of the Law was only bound on Gentiles living in Israel. It was the national Law book for Israel.
Lol. Dr. Brown and I do not see evidence for the Law that never was forced down Gentiles throats to be forced down Gentile’s throats now. To you Gentile followers of Jesus. You can try to obey all commandments of the Law if you want to, but the Law will not judge you, it never has and Jesus did not change that except keep the Noachide Law given to Noah and his children. This includes worshipping only the one and only true invisible Elohim of Israel.
I erred, lol. A caanite slave did have to keep Shabat because it is both a positive commandment and a negative commandment. But a regular Gentile was not punished for breaking Shabat. Peace.
@ question #5
I think that whatever is beneficial for our health is the focus. God gave our souls this body of life to exist in, to lead it, to use as a vessel for our spirit to serve Elohim. We should not feel guilty for trying our best to keep our bodies alive and heathy to be good vessels of our spirit and God’s Spirit and His light living in us.
Eliyahu,
Your post #8 has truly, truly blessed me. Wow, a real Jewish man who knows Jesus. 🙂
You made the OT come alive so well, the way you explained it. You confirmed a lot of things for me too. I believed the Lord spoke through you.
I’m am so glad the Lord sent you on Dr Brown’s forum.
Eliyahu,
Please, hear me out.
1. Israelites were Israelites because of “birth” into the family; the Laws were upon them (unless, I suppose, they apostasized).
2. This is comparable to my being “born” into the family/nation of God through faith in Christ.
3. Israel of old is comparable to the “congregation” of believers in Christ today.
4. This is not “replacement” theology; we are even called “New Jerusalem”. Obviously, Romans 11 tells me Israel is still God’s people — that God will, in the future, turn Israelites back to Himself.
5. If I were not to follow this logic, but rather follow what you presented, it would be as if to say, “A Jewish believer in Yeshua cannot be a homosexual; but a Gentile believer can.”
Do you see how I cannot follow this logic?
The implication for TODAY (of “the things written beforehand to teach us” -1 Cor 10:11) must be understood (not just how it might have looked under the old covenant).
If someone is not (today) “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:16) — they do not HAVE God; are not the “temple of God”, do not “know God” (2 Th 1:8), and will be destroyed in fire.
My question was more like this:
“If I can tell that I am a sinner in need of a Savior because I am a ‘homosexual’ [for instance] — an act which “falls short” of the “standard of righteousness” which is found in the Law — can I also ‘tell that I am a sinner in need of a Savior’ because I eat animals that the Law tells me not to eat?
Because I plant farms and do not let the land rest?
Because I do not observe the Sabbath?”
etc., etc., etc.,
Obviously, if this is the case, I will not GO ON and CONTINUE doing these acts I repented of.
Raw food nutrition meets and EXCEEDS the standards set in the Law of Moses. Jesus said we would do “greater works” — just sayin’…
Daniel,
The Jewish people were not under obligation to put judgement upon the gentile’s sin outside of Israel. That was God’s job to do.
If you lived in Israel, then you needed to follow certain rules. Being a homosexual was a sinful act if living in Israel whether being a Jew or gentile. The Jewish people were obligated to put punishment upon you.
Homosexual is also a sinful act outside of Israel too, but the gentiles were not going to be punished by the Jewish people for the sins they committed. It was God’s job to put judgement on the gentiles not the Jewish people.
Do you get it?
When Jesus said… we would do “greater works”. He was talking about witnessing to others. Making disciples to others. Bringing the world to know Jesus. The great commission. (Jesus had limited time on the earth.)
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
About the food question….You are what you eat. When you eat healthy you feel healthy, when you eat junky you feel junky.
Read Romans 14. Not only read that chapter, understand it fully. It will free you from the yoke of bondage.
Good question Daniel.
How can I say a Jewish person in Messiah can not be a homosexual but a Gentile believer can?
The answer dear friend is I can not. The apostles of Jesus also can not say this. Certainly the Sanhedrin could not allow any Gentile in Israel to be a homosexual. Nor would the Sanhedrin ever condone a Gentile outside of Israel to do such homosexual acts.
Why? because it was taught that homosexuality is apart of the Noachide laws. This was the common teaching 2200 years ago. Any Gentile that wanted to serve the Elohim of Israel was obligated to obey the Law given to Noah and his children. Why God demanded these laws from all human beings, Jews or Gentile. It is taught that Gentiles nor Jews may commit homosexuality, worship false gods or images, murder, steal, and no sexual immorality, etc, there are a few more, there are seven laws for humanity, the Law God made with all humanity, a covenant done by Noah after the flood.
Do you see what I am saying. No Muslim, Buddist, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, Atheist, Christian, Catholic, Hindu or Jew has been given the right from God to disobey the Noachide Law by committing gay sexual intercourse.
But Jews, 2400 years ago only had the right to punish them if they were living in Israel under the authority of the laws of the Land of Israel. If a Gentile was committing gay sex outside of israel then God would be this person only Judge. There were mostly lost and evil idolatrous Gentiles in those days. Only because our Messiah Yeshua came has the light of the truth gone out to all Gentiles so that the Gentiles may have eternal life as well. Wow. Another sign of Yeshua being the Messiah the Law prophesies about.
Now, New Testament apostles of Jesus were confronted with this phenomenon. Gentiles seeing the miracles of the apostles and wanting to repent of their sins (many Gentiles were gay/bi). It was part of there idolatry (some not all) to have spiritual orgies to please their false idols/gods. The apostles told these Gentile believers what? Not to follow the 613 commandments of the Law as the Jewish apostles were but to abstain from sexual immorality, etc. Basically they had to continue to follow the Law given to Noah. Jesus did not abolish this Law given to Noah. Lol. There is no support, I find none, for being Gentile or Jewish practicing homosexual.
My conclusion: Every human whiter Jew or Gentile should obey the Noachide Law at the bear minimum follow the commands given by Yaakov (James) the possible flesh and blood brother of Jesus and the early apostles that said Gentiles that want to serve Yeshua and Elohim of Israel should, not, be, sexually immoral. This includes gay,lesbian,orgies, incest.
Peace.
Eliyahu,
But, when Dr. Michael Brown argues his points, he uses texts from the Law of Moses — to point out (both Gentile and Jew Christians — in Christ, there is no longer any distinction, but “one new man”) that homosexuality is a sin.
He defends the Biblical stance that homosexuality is a sin — based on Mosaic Law.
Would you, hypothetically speaking — tell Michael Brown that his position and argument is fallacious because of this?
Lol. whiter, not sure what that means either, I must have typed in error. Peace.
Another awesome question?
Is homosexuality prohibited by the Noachide Law which came first or the Mosaic Law which I think came around 600 years after depending on which scholars one follows?
My answer is: Noachide and Mosaic Law both disallow for homosexual acts.
This is a normal and well taught belief even before our Messiah came and was born.
Lol. I would not tell Dr Brown anything negative, I will always honor him as one of the few people I feel I can really trust.
Anyways, lol, me and Dr Brown agree in our conclusions: Gentiles should not be forced to obey the 613 commandments of the Torah nor does any human being have the permission from God to do gay intercourse. Peace. I would interested in knowing more of Dr Brown’s teachings on this, is it online, free? Peace.
You have to check out some recorded debates — just YouTube it.
The question still stands. We stand against against homosexual “priesthood”, against Christians attempting to twist the Scriptures around to make homosexuality seem acceptable, in part, based on Mosaic Law.
He points out, many times, that the Mosaic Law uses the word, “abomination” (to-be-aw – something like that) in reference to homosexual practice. The point is that we reference the standard of righteousness found in the Law to “prove” that it is unacceptable before God.
My question, therefore, is this: if homosexuality being practiced is proof that I need a Savior — “for, by the Law is the knowledge of sin” — is it not ALSO proof that I need a Savior if I am breaking the OTHER commandments?
Anyone in the world attempting to establish their own righteousness could be shown the Law of Moses, and a defect found — for it would be impossible for them to defend themselves against this standard of righteousness, inasmuch as it is too all-encompassing — thereby, “shutting every mouth”, and “closing up all under condemnation” in order to let them see their utter need for a Savior (from the wrath of God).
Am I communicating this clearly?
If we argue out of the Law that something is unrighteous, and in need of repenting, do we not ALSO argue against EVERYTHING that is in the Law?
(in violation of the Law)
Also, you said that Paul (being one of the apostles) was obeying the Law — I think you would be interested in a couple verses that show clearly whether he was or was not (in relation to the Law):
1. “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (THOUGH NOT BEING MYSELF UNDER THE LAW) that I might win those under the law”
-1 Cor 9:20
2. “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own THAT COMES FROM THE LAW, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”
-Php 3:9
3.”I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
-Gal 2:21
I do not think we are allowed to sin; but that CHRIST IS THE WORD, and obeying HIM (not letters on a page) is what makes a man righteous — and that THAT man’s level of righteousness is INFINITELY more abundant than any “righteousness” which the Law of Moses could have ever brought.
This is probably the biggest most controversial question in the Messianic Jewish world.
Did Paul and the apostles of Jesus continue to obey the Torah after Jesus ascended into heaven?
The Messianic world full of it’s leaders from different perspectives have without ceasing to this day debated over this question.
My answer, lol, is that I do not know for certain one way or the other about Paul. About Yaakov (Jacob the brother of Yeshua) I noticed that even Josephus finds him to be an amazing holy man. I guess that most likely, 95% confident he continued to be a righteous Jew, he also was life long Nazir, no wine and no haircuts but this information comes from early church history father’s writings. The truth is I was not there and I did not follow the each apostle every second making sure that they never disobeyed one rule in the Torah. There is the book of Acts that refer to Paul trying show at the orders James that he should show that he was following the Torah rules still. There is also the time that Paul and Barnabas left the city to get away and celebrate Shabat. But I was not there, Elohim was there, he knows. Basically, Lol, I do 100%ly know. but even if they (apostles) did secretly or only with Gentiles break the Torah, they still our righteous and Holy Spirit led to do so. But I don’t know, but if I had to make an educated guess, I would say that all the apostles including Rabbi Shaul (Paul) continued to live as they did when they were Yeshua, continued to do all the Torah but not for salvation but because they loved. Dr Brown has probably debated this issue hundreds of times with many messianic Jewish rabbis. Peace.
Wow, I’m writing from an I Mac. Lol. I noticed how hard it is to read my last comments, sorry. Peace.
This is called an I Pad I guess, lol.
This is a very good question and the next as well.
If homosexuality is proof that one needs a Saviour then is it not likewise true that the other parts of the Torah also show how much of sinners we are?
My answer: The Torah, the Law the Tanach, the Ancient Scriptures are so Holy annointed by the breadth and Spirit of Elohim. Anyone that reads it comes into contact with The Holy Spirit light, this Holiness takes us all to our knees in humbleness and yearning to be more like Him.
Therefore if one is required to repent of one sin(homosexuality) because the Law says its a sin, shouldn’t this line of reasoning conclude with one having to repent from all the sins the Torah declares that shows me my unrighteousness?
Very good question. Right, either a gay can be gay because nobody is repenting from the other Torah rules or everyone must follow all the Torah rules.
My conclusion: The Holy Spirit comes in and empowers one to walk by the fruits of the Spirit and not the flesh. Sexual immorality is at the first one on the list, this includes homosexual intercourse. Our latest prophets still condemn homosexuality as not being a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, push out the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And all Scripture humbles us because it is anointed with Shekinah (presence of Elohim’s Spirit. Peace.
Folks, just a friendly reminder to stay on topic on the posts here. There are other posts where you can get into other discussions, so please stay focused for the benefit of others. Thanks!
Sure thing ;).
I think following Jesus will result in people allowing others to have their own paradigms.
Being a disciple of Jesus changes people.
I think some paradigms have names.
Jesus taught his disciples by many parables. Isn’t a parable a paradigm? We want to have correct perspectives. I often find that I grope for God like a blind man. I hope that my searching after him doesn’t cause others to stumble. Not everything I say is right.